It may seem the longest of long shots, but, by guiding England to World Cup glory , the 66-year-old boss will ensure he achieves the greatest personal landmark in his ­much-travelled career.

A defining moment for a much-respected man.

And yet Hodgson, who has managed 14 clubs and four nations, has revealed how he is still haunted by the pain of being sacked by Liverpool in 2011.

He only had six months in charge at Anfield – at the time a club awash with internal political strife – but the scars remain.

Hodgson said: “Even now, I’m still sad about the situation at Anfield.

“I went to Liverpool, thinking it would be a long-term job and maybe it could take me to the end of my career if I spent a lot of time there.”

Liverpool fans weren’t sold on Hodgson and the club’s big spend on Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson came within weeks of his departure, with Kenny Dalglish back in the hot seat.

(Image: Getty)

He successfully rebuilt his career with West Brom before landing the England role.

Hodgson added: “It’s strange how things work – it’s now led to me being England manager, so maybe I don’t have quite the same regrets.

“That said, nothing can dismiss the memory of what happened at Liverpool. It’s important to remember the bad times, as well as the good times.

“Sometimes, the bad times are the ones that teach you the most, so I shall never dismiss it from my memory and I shall never feel satisfied or happy about the situation.

“How could I? I went to ­Liverpool with the intention of spending a long time there and helping to build the club up like I’ve seen it built up now.

“I wasn’t able to do that, so I regret it and I’m sad about it. But it can happen when the people who appoint you are not the same ones who dismiss you.

“ I knew, when I took the job, the club was in a period of transition. I realised it might not be too easy just to walk in and wave a magic wand to turn it around.

“New owners come in, they might have other ideas. I’m just fortunate that what has come up since, with England, has been good for me.”

(Image: Clive Brunskill / Getty)

Hodgson’s experience at ­international level has helped him maintain a sound perspective during England’s qualification for next summer’s finals.

“You’ve always got this vision about having to get to the World Cup. Getting there is the most important thing,” said Hodgson.

“Suddenly, you get out of an airport here in Brazil, see all the signs everywhere, the people from all the different countries, not just the likes of Vincent Del Bosque – but the ­entourages of all the teams as well.

“Then you see all the massed media. You come in to the draw, see the big tent they have set up and you realise that billions, literally billions, have been waiting for the draw, looking at their watches.

“They can’t wait for the draw to start, they’ve got to get a seat and, suddenly, you think, ‘Crikey, I’m one of the actors here. I’m on the stage’ – and that’s where you want to be, that’s what you play football for.

“You do it to try and get on the biggest stage you can get on. And I will be on that stage next summer.”